The time, where has it gone? It seems like only 10 weeks ago we were getting ready for the 2011 football season!

The regular season for high school football wraps up tomorrow night and it will be the final game for at least five of our eight county teams.

Really.

Just saw ESPN’s preview of the LSU-Alabama game and noticed Tide coach Nick Saban went to work wearing slacks and dress shoes, without socks! Gotta hope they pack some serious extra-strength Odor Eaters down in the deep south.

We were much happier with our picks last week, going 4-1 including correctly picking Heavener’s 28-14 win at Panama, which was the exact final score! This was after the 3-3 brain flatulence the previous week. That puts us at 43-16 on the season.

And yes, we will keep picking games as long as a county school is involved in the playoffs.

A couple of big games for Week 10 and some not so big, to say it kindly. Here we go!

POTEAU AT MULDROW—Both teams are out of postseason contention, so the only motivation is to close with a win. Poteau was knocked out of the playoffs with last week’s 59-56 loss at Fort Gibson. Muldrow was eliminated earlier. Could be another arena football-type game! Pirates looking to close at .500 and build some momentum for next year. POTEAU 35, MULDROW 28.

SPIRO AT STIGLER—A game with playoff implications! Stigler is in and has clinched second place in the district. Spiro must win and get some help to extend its season. Hopefully the Panthers rest their studs for the playoffs. Doubt that happens. STIGLER 28, SPIRO 21.

POCOLA AT HEAVENER—Simply the biggest game of the week. Winner makes the playoffs while the loser hits the weights and basketball court. Heavener has won two straight (not counting the forfeit over Tahlequah JV), with the previously mentioned victory over Panama last week and a win at Talihina. Pocola has played everybody in the district (aside from Vian) close, but the loss to Panama two weeks ago threw a wrench in everything. If it is a shootout, look for Pocola to win. But if the Wolves can control the ball, it’s Heavener. Probably the longest description of a prediction in Journal pick history! HEAVENER 21, POCOLA 20.

TALIHINA AT VIAN—Vian is capable of winning the gold ball and will be looking for some revenge after losing to Talihina last year. Gotta hope the Wolverines are eyeing the playoffs and not the Tigers, but don’t expect that to happen. VIAN 42, TALIHINA 14.

PANAMA AT NOAH—Panama has shown the most improvement of any team in the county this year. Unfortunately, that will not help much here. NOAH has defeated 4A Stilwell and played one of the top teams in the country in DeSoto, Texas. NOAH 49, PANAMA 7.

ARKOMA AT CLAREMORE CHRISTIAN—Arkoma is a good eight-man team. Claremore Christian has struggled. Mustangs have already clinched second place in the district and will have a home game next week in the first round of the playoffs. ARKOMA 42, CLAREMORE CHRISTIAN 28.

MAUD AT BOKOSHE—Maud has struggled this year, as has Bokoshe. Both teams probably ready to shoot some 3’s and hunt Bambi. MAUD 48, BOKOSHE 12.